The letter was a follow up to Crane's presentation in St. Joseph, Missouri, about efforts to build the St. Joseph and Topeka Railroad. Crane had made a commitment to raise money for building the railroad and Russell was inquiring about his progress. Russell lived in Elwood, Doniphan County, and was lobbying for the railroad to go through that community.

The current URL is http://www.territorialkansasonline.org/~imlskto/cgi-bin/index.php?SCREEN=show_document&document_id=100206&SCREEN_FROM=keyword&selected_keyword=Doniphan%20County,%20Kansas%20Territory&startsearchat=5.